Office of health equity created

* § 241. Office of health equity created. There is hereby created an office of health equity within the state department of health. Such office shall:

1. Work collaboratively with other state agencies and affected stakeholders, including providers and representatives of underserved populations, in order to set priorities, collect and disseminate data, and align resources within the department and across other state agencies. The office shall also conduct health promotion and educational outreach, as well as develop and implement interventions aimed at achieving health equity among underserved populations by implementing strategies to address the varying complex causes of health disparities, including the economic, physical, and social environments.

2. Integrate and coordinate selected state health care grant and loan programs established specifically for promoting health equity in New York state. As part of this function, the office shall develop a coordinated application process for use by providers, municipalities and others in seeking funds and/or technical assistance on pertinent programs and services targeted to address health equity among underserved populations.

3. Apply for grants, and accept gifts from private and public sources for research to improve and enhance health equity. The office shall also promote health equity research in universities and colleges.

4. Together with the health equity council, serve as liaison and advocate for the department on health equity matters. This function shall include the provision of staff support to the health equity council and the establishment of appropriate program linkages with related federal, state, and local agencies and programs such as the office of health equity of the public health service, the agricultural extension service and migrant health services.

5. Assist medical schools and state agencies to develop comprehensive programs to improve the diversity of health personnel workforce by promoting health equity clinical training and curriculum improvement, and disseminating health career information to high school and college students.

6. Promote community strategic planning to address the complex causes of health disparities, including the social determinants of health and health care delivery systems and networks, in order to improve health equity. Strategic network planning and development may include such considerations as healthful foods, quality housing, economic opportunity, social relationships, transportation, and education, as well as health care systems, including associated personnel, capital facilities, reimbursement, primary care, long-term care, acute care, rehabilitative, preventive, and related services on the health continuum.

7. Review the impact of programs, regulations, and policies on health equity.

* NB There are 2 § 241's